A Manual Regarding Suggested Procedures for Ordination 2003

A West Virginia Baptist Convention Resource

A MANUAL REGARDING

SUGGESTED

PROCEDURES FOR

ORDINATION

West Virginia Baptist Convention

The Committee on Ministerial Standing

P.O. Box 1019

Parkersburg, WV 26102-1019

Revised 9/2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduction - Background 1

Introduction - historical perspective 2

Introduction - Definitions of Terms Used in This Document 3

The Licensed Minister 3-4

The Candidate for Ordination 4-5

The Role of the Association Ordination Committee and

the Procedure for Ordination

5-7

The Church Calls for the Ordination Council 7-8

The Association Ordination Council 8-9

The Ordination Service 9-10

Removal or Withdrawal of Recognition of Ordination 10

APPENDIX A - Suggested Guidelines for a Candidate’s Position

Paper

APPENDIX B - The Covenant and Code of Ethics for

Professional Church Leaders of the American Baptist Churches

in the USA

APPENDIX C - Suggested Order of Worship for an Ordination

Service

APPENDIX D - Recognition of Ordination for Those Coming from

Outside the West Virginia Baptist Convention

14-15

APPENDIX E - Recognition Of Ordination For Those Coming

From Another Region With Accredited Ordination Of The American

Baptist Church Of The USA.

APPENDIX F - Certificate of License

APPENDIX G - Certificate of Ordination

APPENDIX H - Application request form for Region Ordination

Accreditation

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

Ordination is the act of the church by which, in the name of God, it delegates to

a qualified person who has responded to the call of God a wide range of ministerial

functions and responsibilities.

Baptists long have both celebrated the autonomy of the local church and joined

in voluntary association with each other for mission endeavors best accomplished by

the wider Christian community. Thus the local Baptist church retains the right to

decide for itself, but in matters of faith and polity also recognizes interdependence with

other Baptist churches and organizations as beneficial to full ministry.

The Committee on Ministerial Standing of the West Virginia Baptist Convention

(WVBC) is charged with the responsibility for coordinating and reviewing those things

having to do with ministry in the WVBC churches. This document has been prepared

as an aid to the churches and the candidates for ministry in our region. It is designed

to: 1.) give guidance to the prospective candidates for ordination and the churches

from which they come; and 2.) encourage standards which will insure the integrity of

the Gospel Ministry.

1. It is the right and responsibility of the local church to ordain those whom it

recognizes as being called of God. That ordination may be particular for the local

church or it may be general on behalf of all churches of like faith and order. It is

generally done in coordination with the association churches.

2. Because of the mobility and itinerancy of the ordained clergy, it is physically

impossible for the local ordaining church to be responsible for the faithful service of the

ordained for the many years of an individual’s ministry. It is the expectation that the

region is responsible for the counseling, consulting, monitoring, and continuing

standing of the clergy for service.

3. There are various practices in Baptist churches regarding the timing and forming of

ordination. Every means should be tested for the development of the kind of faithful

and vital ministry needed now in the name of Christ. We should be concerned not only

about present needs, but also that our ministry be equipped to match the challenges of

the future.

4. It is recognized that each individual Baptist church is autonomous with respect to the

standards and procedures of ordination. However, unless it fully cooperates in

maintaining the commonly accepted standards, a local church should not assume its

action on ordination will be recognized by the churches of the wider fellowship.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

One of the commonly held convictions of churches today is that all Christians

are ministers who participate in Christ’s own ministry. This is evidenced in the baptism

of the individual Christian and in the doctrine of “the priesthood of all believers,” where

within faith communities individuals inspired by the Holy Spirit are both competent and

responsible for approaching God on behalf of themselves and others.

Baptists further asserted that any member of the church could be called upon to

exercise all ministerial functions and responsibilities, even though this did not ordinarily

happen. When a radical doctrine of the priesthood of all believers was combined with

a strictly independent concept of the local church, with each congregation directly

responsible to Christ, and its officers having no standing outside its membership, there

seemed to be little practical or doctrinal foundation for a special order of ministry, the

ordained ministry.

But the actual situation was not that simple. Baptist long have possessed a

“separate” or set-apart” ministry that has served a constituency wider than the local

congregation. Ordination has tended to be the setting apart (by the call of God and the

action of the church) of one of the many ministers to perform special functions of

ministry on behalf of the community of faith.

Ordination historically has been understood by many WVBC congregations as

affirming that an individual has had a call to this specialized ministry and has met the

necessary qualifications for carrying it out.

Although most often a local congregation has taken the initiative in ordaining that

individual, it did so in cooperation with other congregations. This participation of a

group of churches in ordination has given the rite much more than merely local

significance. In fact, if the ordination was carried out according to the standards of the

WVBC churches, it represented a regional recognition of the individual’s call and

qualifications for the ordained ministry of Christ’s universal church.

In the primitive church, the rite of ordination climaxed in the act of “laying on of

hands.” This act indicated that the person so ordained was not only consecrated to

God’s service and thus made holy, but also was commissioned to serve on behalf of

those who laid on hands (see Acts 6:6 and 13:13; I Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6). In

addition, the act and the accompanying prayer, which invoked God’s grace upon the

ordained, implied the ordinand’s authority to share the functions and responsibilities of

those who laid hands upon the individual.

This meaning has continued to be central in ordination. Today, the act of laying

on of hands signifies and focuses in one person, the ministry of many persons who in

themselves represent the wider church of Jesus Christ.

DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT

1. “Committee on Ministerial Standing” (COMS) refers to a regional body which

is responsible for the implementation and oversight of policies, criteria, and procedures

for ministerial accreditation. COMS is accountable to the Executive Board of the

WVBC through the Leadership Commission of the Executive Board.

2. “Committee on Ordination” or “Ordination Committee” is the generic term for

an association committee charged with the oversight of the ordination process. This is

generally a standing committee of each association.

3. “Mentor” is a person appointed by the Association Ordination Committee to

assist the candidate in the preparation of the position paper and its presentation before

the Association Ordination Council.

4. “Licensing,” as used in this document, is a preliminary step toward ordination.

5. “Ordination Council” is a group of clergy and laity from the association, called

together by a local church to examine the fitness of a candidate for ordination and

recommend to the local church whether or not they should proceed with the ordination

of the candidate.

I. THE LICENSED MINISTER

The granting of a license to preach the gospel is a procedure utilized by the

local church to recognize a person’s call to ministry, and to offer that person the

opportunity to perform the functions of ministry.

A. A local church may, by formal action of the congregation, grant a license to

preach the gospel to a member of that congregation. Such a license should be

granted only to those members who have given evidence of the following

qualifications:

1. A clear testimony of salvation by faith in the atonement of the Lord

Jesus Christ and a consistent Christian walk and testimony; and

2. A willingness to bear responsibility and employ life and spiritual gifts

for Christ through the ministry of the church.

B. A license, when granted by a church, should be for a limited period of time

(preferably one, but not more than four years) and is subject to review,

revocation, or renewal by the church granting the license. (See Appendix E.)

C. Licensed ministers may be authorized by the church served to officiate at the

Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; as well as to perform the other

duties that are a part of the pastoral ministry.

D. Those, who, in the course of ministry, contemplate officiating at a marriage

ceremony, will need to consult with the Clerk of the County Court regarding

legal requirements.

E. When a candidate is licensed, it is recommended that the church contact the

Association Ordination Committee, so the candidate may receive guidance and

counsel relative to ordination. It is also recommended that the area minister be

notified, so that he may also counsel the candidate for ordination.

II. THE CANDIDATE FOR ORDINATION

A candidate for ordination, before meeting with the Association Ordination

Committee, should be aware of the requirements of that Association concerning

ordination. A copy of the Association standards, or in their absence, a copy of this

document, should be sent to the candidate as soon as the Committee is notified.

While these standards will vary, some of our Associations have the following

expectations:

A. The candidate for ordination shall normally have been licensed to the Gospel

Ministry by a West Virginia Baptist Convention church for at least one year

prior to the application for ordination.

B. The candidate shall have either a definite call to a local church ministry at

the time of ordination or have substantial reason for requesting ordination. The

candidate should have definite plans to enter one of the following fields of

ministry:

1. Local church ministry, including all staff who exercise pastoral

functions.

2. Mission service on the home or foreign field in which pastoral

functions will be exercised.

3. Specialized ministries, e.g. institutional, military, or academic

chaplaincy; pastoral counseling; full-time evangelism; or a staff position in

a church-related institution, where preaching, teaching, and/or pastoral

work is required.

C. The candidate’s academic preparation for the ministry shall lead to one of

the following two levels of accreditation;

1. West Virginia Baptist Convention Accreditation:

a. Accepts four years of college from an accredited institution of

higher learning (B.A., B.S. degree or equivalent) plus three years

of seminary (B.D., M. Div. Degree or equivalent ). This is the

preferred path leading to accreditation of ordination by the West

Virginia Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches of

the USA, and candidates for ministry are encouraged to pursue

this.

b. Those ministers not meeting the above standards of education

must qualify in one of the following categories to make application

for state and national accreditation:

1.) Completion of the Pastoral Ministry program of the West

Virginia Baptist Convention School of Christian Studies;

2.) Completion, by audit or credit, of one-half of the courses

of an accredited theological seminary; or

3.) The equivalent of one of the above, as approved by the

Committee on Ministerial Standing.

In any of these cases, a functional knowledge of American Baptist history and

polity will be required. Those normally can be satisfied by completion of a seminary

level course on both the history and polity of American Baptist or by completion of the

School of Christian Studies course(s) on Baptist history and polity.

2. Association Accreditation: When wider recognition is not

desired by the candidate, ordination can be accredited by the local

association by meeting the standards of the association in which

membership is held, or which the candidate serves. Associations

are encouraged to adopt the guidelines set forth in this manual as

the norm for their policies and procedures for ordination. Such

action would help to provide consistency, integrity and order for

the candidate, who later seeks accreditation of ordination with the

West Virginia Baptist Convention and the ABC/USA.

III. THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATION ORDINATION COMMITTEE AND THE

PROCEDURE FOR ORDINATION

The Association Ordination Committee shall be responsible for advising the

Association, the local churches, and the prospective candidate for ordination in regard

to ordination procedures. The procedure for pursuing ordination to the Gospel Ministry

shall be as follows:

A. The church of which the candidate is a member shall vote to initiate the

ordination procedure, and shall by letter, request the Association Ordination

Committee to meet with the candidate for counseling and advice. The letter

requesting a meeting of this committee shall be signed by the clerk of the

church, and shall state the date on which the church formally took action. A

copy of this letter should also be sent to the area minister.

B. First meeting of the Association Ordination Committee and the candidate.

The candidate will meet with the Association Ordination Committee on a

mutually acceptable date.

1. The candidate should be prepared to respond to the following areas:

a. An explanation of conversion, call to the ministry, experience in

Christian service, preparation for ministry, and perceived goals for

ministry.

b. Willingness to support and participate within the life and

witness of the Association, the West Virginia Baptist Convention,

and the American Baptist Churches of the U.S.A.

2. The Association Ordination Committee should be prepared to:

a. Review the process of ordination and the requirements of the

Association in regard to the level of accreditation the candidate is

seeking.

b. Give guidelines for the paper to be prepared by the candidate.

(See Appendix A)

c. Assign a mentor from the association to assist the candidate in

the preparation of the candidate’s position paper. This mentor will

continue to counsel the candidate throughout the entire ordination

process.

d. Provide the candidate with a copy of the Covenant and Code of

Ethics as adopted by the West Virginia Baptist Minister’s Council

and the Committee on Ministerial Standing.

(See Appendix B)

e. Set time for the next meeting with the candidate.

C. Second meeting of the Association Ordination Committee and the candidate.

1. Responsibilities of the candidate in relation to the second meeting

include:

a. Two weeks prior to the second meeting, copies of the

candidate’s position paper will need to be mailed to each

member of the Association Ordination Committee.

b. The candidate will present the paper and be prepared to

answer questions for the Association Ordination Committee.

c. The candidate will state a willingness to sign and support the

Covenant and Code of Ethics.

2. Responsibilities of the Association Ordination Committee in relation to

the second meeting include:

a. Upon receipt of the candidate’s position paper, read it and be

prepared to discuss the contents at the meeting.

b. Within two weeks of this interview, the committee shall inform

the candidate and the church, in writing, of its decisions and

recommendations in one of the following areas.

1) Recommend to the local church that they proceed with

the ordination proceed by calling for an Ordination Council.

2) If the committee is not prepared to recommend

proceeding with the ordination, the committee will continue

to work with the candidate in those areas needing

improvement.

c. Discuss with the candidate the conditions by which the removal

or withdrawal of recognition of ordination may occur. (See Section

VII)

IV. THE CHURCH CALLS FOR THE ORDINATION COUNCIL

The Ordination Council shall be responsible for examining the candidate’s con

version, call to ministry, preparation for ministry, and doctrinal views.

A. A letter to each member church of the Association shall be mailed at least

two weeks before the date set for the meeting. A copy of the candidate’s pre

pared written statement shall be included.

B. All churches of the Association shall be invited to send representatives, as

determined by the Association, to sit on the Association Ordination Council.

The area minister should also be invited to sit on the Ordination Council.

C. The Association Ordination Council and the Ordination Service should not

be held on the same day.

V. THE ASSOCIATION ORDINATION COUNCIL

The Association Ordination Council, upon assembly, shall be constituted of

representatives from at least a majority of the churches of the Association. The council

will be conducted in the following manner:

A. The pastor of the requesting church or an officer of the church, shall call the

meeting to order with prayer.

B. The council will select a moderator to preside and a clerk to record actions of

the council.

C. The moderator shall call upon the church clerk to read that portion of the

minutes which state the church’s action in calling for the ordination of the

candidate, and the statement of the recommendation of the Association

Ordination Committee.

D. The pastor or an officer of the church shall introduce the candidate.

E. The candidate’s position paper shall be presented at this time. Following the

reading of each section of this paper, the candidate shall submit to questions

about the same from the members of the council. Only the candidate’s views

are to be discussed.

F. After the examination is completed, the candidate shall be dismissed, or the

council shall adjourn to another room, so the council may discuss any point in

question. A motion is in order to recommend, or not recommend, the candidate

for ordination. Only members of the council are entitled to vote. The vote may

be taken by written ballot. The candidate shall be returned to the council, or the

council will return to the initial room, and the candidate informed concerning

the action taken.

G. The clerk of the Association Ordination Council shall send a written copy

of the proceedings and decision of the council to the candidate, the church,

the Association clerk, the area minister, and the Committee on Ministerial

Standing of the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

H. If the vote is unfavorable, the reason shall be stated in the written statement

of the action to the church and the candidate. Whenever an Association

Ordination Council recommends that a church defer or not proceed with the

ordination of a candidate, the following courses of action are open:

1. The church may wait until the conditions which cause the

recommendation change sufficiently to warrant requesting the

reexamination of the candidate.

2. The church may appeal to the Committee on Ministerial Standing of

the West Virginia Baptist Convention for a hearing, if it considers

the decision of the Association Ordination Council to have been

arbitrary or unfair.

a. The Committee on Ministerial Standing shall arrange a meeting

of its members to which shall be invited:

1) The moderator and clerk of the Association Ordination

Council.

2) The candidate, the mentor, and two delegates from the

candidate’s church.

3) The Executive Minister of the West Virginia Baptist

Convention or a representative of the region staff.

b. Procedure for the Appeal Hearing by the Committee on

Ministerial Standing

1) Hearing convened and presided over by the chairperson

of the committee.

2) Reviews the records of the Association Ordination

Council.

3) Receives reports relative to the action taken by the

Association Ordination Council.

4) Decides, by vote of the members of the Committee on

Ministerial Standing, whether or not the evidence presented

warrants the recalling of the Association Ordination Council.

3. Should the decision of the recalled Association Ordination Council be

negative, any further action taken by the church, which presented the

candidate to ordain that person shall be considered to be unilateral and

without standing. Should there be a favorable decision by the

Association Ordination Council, the local church may arrange for a

service of ordination.

VI. THE ORDINATION SERVICE

The local church is the ordaining body, not the council. Following official notice

of the Association Ordination Council’s approval of the candidate for ordination, the

church shall plan with the candidate for the Service of Ordination. The local church

should consider the following items as a guide for this important service in the life of

the candidate and the church.

A. Selection of a date at least two weeks after the action of the Association

Ordination Council.

B. Selection of persons to participate.

C. Instruct the church clerk to send letters of invitation to all churches of the

Association, and to others as desired. An invitation should also be sent to the

area minister.

D. Send an invitation and an order of service to each person invited to

participate in the service.

E. Secure some token of recognition. This may be a Bible or other book

suitable for the candidate.

F. Secure a suitable Certificate of Ordination and have it properly filled out.

Also secure a copy of the Covenant and Code of Ethics. These may be

obtained from the office of the West Virginia Baptist Convention. (See Appendix

G. Arrange for special music in the service and a reception following, if these

are desired.

H. Arrange for printed programs. (A suggested order of service is included in

Appendix C.)

I. Following the service, send the information and a picture, if possible, for use

in the WEST VIRGINIA BAPTIST.

VII. REMOVAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION OF ORDINATION

Due to immoral behavior or changes in theological beliefs, it is sometimes

necessary to question the calling and ordination of a minister. Such questions may be

directed to the Ordination Committee of the Association and, should they find there is

substance to the charges, the Association Ordination Committee should ask the

ordaining church to withdraw the ordination of the individual.

If recognition of ordination goes beyond the local church and association, and if

just cause regarding immoral behavior or unethical practices can be proven, the

Committee on Ministerial Standing of the West Virginia Baptist Convention may decide

to withdraw or suspend recognition/accreditation of ordination. The document An

Ecclesiastical Process for Review of Clergy Misconduct and Ministerial Standing

details the process the Committee on Ministerial Standing uses for such reviews.

Copies of this document may be obtained from the area minister or the offices of the

West Virginia Baptist Convention.

Also, as it sometimes happens, a person may leave the active ordained ministry for

reasons other than retirement. Should the individual continue to lay claim to the

privileges of a title or a calling, without a ministry, the Association Ordination

Committee may ask the ordaining church to withdraw their ordination.

APPENDIX A

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR A CANDIDATE’S POSITION PAPER

To assist the candidate for ordination in stating their calling and doctrinal beliefs

when they meet with the Association Ordination Committee and the Association

Ordination Council, it is recommended that a paper be prepared in advance. This

paper should be mailed to the Association Ordination Committee at least two weeks

prior to the meeting at which it will be considered. The pastor of one of the Association

churches should be appointed as a mentor for the candidate to aid in preparing the

paper and discussing it before the council.

A. Format

The paper should:

1. Be typed and double-spaced

2. Include citations of references and, if possible, line numbering

3. Use good grammatical form

4. Not exceed fifteen pages

5. Be a statement of personal beliefs

B. Content

1. Conversion

2. Call to the Ministry

3. Preparation for the Work

4. Experience in Christian Service

5. Views concerning the following doctrines:

a. Scripture

b. God

c. Jesus Christ

d. The Holy Spirit

e. Man

f. Sin

g. Salvation

h. The Church

1) Nature of the Church

2) Mission of the Church

3) Ordinances of the Church

I. Satan

j. Last Things

k. Denominational Loyalty

1) Statement of understanding of American Baptist history

and polity

2) Acceptance of the Covenant and Code of Ethics

(Appendix B)

APPENDIX B

APPENDIX C

SUGGESTED ORDER OF WORSHIP FOR AN ORDINATION SERVICE

Hymn

Scripture Reading

Prayer

Reading by the Church Clerk of the pertinent actions taken:

Vote of the Church to call for the Ordination Council

Recommendation of the Ordination Council

Ordination Sermon

Charge to the Candidate

Charge to the Church

Prayer of Ordination

Laying on of Hands

Formal Signing of the Covenant and Code of Ethics

Presentation of the Certificate and Token of Recognition

Welcome into the Fellowship of Ministry

Benediction by the Candidate

Greetings from Friends and the Reception

APPENDIX D

RECOGNITION OF ORDINATION FOR NON-AMERICAN BAPTISTS

The recognition process is initiated when an American Baptist congregation

desiring recognition for a person previously ordained by another denomination or

contacts the Association Ordination Committee or the Committee on Ministerial

Standing.

A. Association Recognition

The first step in wider recognition is for the church to contact the local

Association Ordination Committee. This committee will meet with the candidate to

review the candidate’s conversion, call to ministry, educational background, ministerial

experience, doctrinal beliefs, denominational loyalty, and moral integrity. When no

wider recognition is desired, the Association Ordination Committee is the appropriate

group to grant Association recognition of ordination. When wider recognition is

desired, their recommendation needs to be secured before application is made to the

Committee on Ministerial Standing.

B. Regional and National Recognition

The committee on Ministerial Standing of the West Virginia Baptist Convention

is empowered to grant regional and national recognition/accreditation of the ordination

of an individual previously ordained by another denomination. The process is as

follows:

1. The individual desiring recognition of ordination shall provide the

following items to the Committee on Ministerial Standing of the West

Virginia Baptist Convention.

a. Completed application.

b. Letter of ministerial standing from the previous denomination or

region.

c. Verification of prior ordination and academic work from college

and seminary. (Photocopies are acceptable.)

d. References from three persons familiar with the applicant’s

previous ministry.

e. A recommendation from the Association Ordination Committee

in the association where the individual is now serving.

2. Following receipt of the above information, the Committee on

Ministerial Standing will meet with the individual. At this meeting, the

committee undertakes the following functions:

a. Reviews the required credentials (as stated above in section A)

which were submitted prior to the meeting.

b. Interviews the individual to become better acquainted with his/

her personal background, faith, baptism, ministerial experience,

educational background, and attitude toward and understanding

of American Baptist tradition and polity, including the work

and ministry of the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

c. Asks questions of the individual regarding:

1. Reasons for entering the ministry of the West Virginia

Baptist Convention.

2. Intentions to participate in the fellowship and ministry of

the West Virginia Baptist Convention and the American

Baptist Churches, U.S.A.

3. Willingness to sign and support the Covenant and Code

of Ethics for Professional Church Leaders of the American

Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. (see Appendix B)

3. As a result of this meeting, the Committee on Ministerial Standing may

arrange for the individual to complete an American Baptist /West Virginia

Baptist orientation course or other training the committee deems

necessary to assure familiarity with American Baptist history and polity.

4. Copies of the decision of the Committee on Ministerial Standing are

forwarded by the Executive Minister to the ABC/USA Registry of

Professional Church Leaders.

C. The Committee on Ministerial Standing also furnishes the person with a

letter and/or certificate indicating that the previous ordination is recognized by

the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

APPENDIX E

RECOGNITION OF ORDINATION FOR THOSE COMING

FROM ANOTHER REGION WITH ACCREDITED ORDINATION OF THE

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF THE USA

The Committee on Ministerial Standing of the West Virginia Baptist Convention

is empowered to grant regional and national recognition/accreditation of an individual

previously ordained by another region of the ABC/USA. The process is as follows:

1. The individual desiring recognition of ordination shall provide the following

items to the Committee on Ministerial Standing of the West Virginia Baptist

Convention.

a. Completed application

b. Verification of Ordination and academic work from college and

seminary (photocopies are acceptable).

c. Letter of reference from someone who is familiar with the individual’s

ministry. (executive minister, area minister, etc.)

2. Following the receipt of the above information, the Committee on Ministerial

Standing will meet with the individual. At this meeting, the committee

undertakes the following functions:

a. Review the individual’s credentials.

b. Review the candidate’s conversion, call to ministry, education

background, ministerial experience, doctrinal beliefs, denominational

loyalty and moral integrity.

c. Review the Covenant and Code of Ethics.

3. As a result of this meeting the Committee on Ministerial Standing will do one

of the following:

a. Grant accreditation of their ordination.

b. Recommend further study in specific area(s).

c. Deny accreditation.

4. Copies of the decision of the Committee on Ministerial Standing are

forwarded by the West Virginia Baptist Convention to the ABC/USA Registry

of Professional Church Leaders.

5. Following recognition, the Committee on Ministerial Standing also furnishes

the person with a letter and/or certificate indicating that the previous

ordination is accredited by the West Virginia Baptist Convention.

APPENDIX F

Certificate of License

This Is To Certify

John Doe

Who has given evidence that God has called him into

THE GOSPEL MINISTRY

Was licensed to preach the Gospel as he may have opportunity,

and to exercise his gifts in the work of the Ministry

By Your Baptist Church

At Any City, West Virginia

On the 1st day of February, 2002

Clerk Pastor

Date of Expiration

Certificate of Ordination

We, the undersigned, hereby certify that upon the

recommendation and request of Your Baptist Church at Any

City, West Virginia, which had full and sufficient opportunity

for judging his gifts, and after satisfactory examination by us in

regard to his Christian experience, call to the ministry, and

views of Biblical doctrine,

John Doe

was solemnly and publicly set apart and ordained to the work of

THE GOSPEL MINISTRY

by authority and order of

The Your Baptist Church at

Any City, West Virginia on February 1, 2002

_________________________

Moderator of Ordaining Council

_________________________

Pastor

_________________________

Church Clerk

_________________________

Chairman of Deacons

_________________________

APPENDIX G

DATE

NAME

LAST FIRST MIDDLE PHONE

ADDRESS

STREET CITY STATE ZIP

DATE OF BIRTH PLACE OF BIRTH

MARITAL STATUS: MARRIED SINGLE DIVORCED

SCHOOLS ATTENDED:

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATED G.E.D.

COLLEGE GRADUATED DEGREE

SEMINARY GRADUATED DEGREE

SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES GRADUATED DEGREE

OTHER

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

PRESENTLY SERVING

CHURCH LOCATION

POSITION

ASSOCIATION

LICENSED BY

CHURCH ASSOCIATION DENOMINATION

ORDAINED BY

CHURCH ASSOCIATION DENOMINATION

RECOMMENDED BY ORDINATION COMMITTEE

ASSOCIATION DATE

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

NAME PHONE

DATE APPROVED SIGNATURE OF CANDIDATE

APPENDIX H

APPLICATION REQUEST FORM

FOR

REGION ORDINATION ACCREDITATION

Please include copies of:

(A.) Ordination Certificate (B.) Diploma (College – Seminary – School of Christian Studies)

(C.) Letter of reference